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White River Valley Electric Cooperative

Candidate Profile: Keith Hock

District B - Taney County

KEITH HOCK

Ridgedale, MO

 

Brief Bio

Keith is the Senior Consultant, Utility Strategy and Technology for PowerRunner. In this role Keith leverages his experience as a thought leader in the utility industry to advise clients on strategies for technology solutions, especially to address challenges in electric transmission and distribution. Keith also assists clients with implementing technology solutions, especially analytics solutions in electric transmission and distribution planning and operation.

Previously, Keith was employed for 36 years at Ameren Corporation headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Keith’s most recent role was the Sr. Director IT/OT and Digital Field & Grid Services. In this role Keith was responsible for leading the digital teams supporting Ameren’s Generation, Nuclear, Transmission, Electric Distribution, Gas and Field business teams. As a member of Ameren’s Digital Leadership Team, Keith was responsible for setting the vision for the Digital Field & Grid organization, developing strategies, creating business plans and delivering products and services for internal customers.

Previously Keith was the Director Transmission Technical Services and Operations Planning where he was responsible for supporting Ameren’s grid operations. In this role Keith’s responsibilities included the cyber-security of Ameren’s electric grid and the control systems.

Keith also has extensive legislative and regulatory experience in the energy industry. He played key roles in creating the deregulated retail electricity market in Illinois and the regional wholesale electricity markets in the Midwest. Keith has provided expert testimony in regulatory proceedings with the Missouri Public Service Commission (MOPSC), the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Keith Hock is the majority owner of Copper Run Distillery in Branson West, MO. Copper Run is a craft distillery that produces a variety of whiskeys and rums. As majority owner he has responsibility for business strategy and planning, financial management, product development, product quality, employee and customer safety and security.

 

Experience and Education

  • High School Diploma: St Louis University High
  • Master’s Degree: Nuclear Engineering from University Missouri Rolla
  • Awards & Honors:
    • Keith is frequently asked to speak at DistribuTech and other utility industry conferences hosted by the Utility Analytics Institute, EPRI, AVEVA and EMMOS. Most recently Keith spoke at DistribuTech 2024. Keith has published articles and papers in utility industry publications. Keith received the Lifetime Service Award from USA Volleyball.
  • Community & Board Experience:
    • Keith’s current positions are with Missouri Craft Distillers Guild, Table Rock Chamber of Commerce, and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Keith’s former positions are with Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Technology Advisory Committee, Ameren Digital Leadership Team, Chair Ameren Intelligrid Stakeholders Committee, BOD Missouri Craft Distillers Guild, Director and Coach – Missouri Thunder Men’s Youth Volleyball Club, and School Board – Holy Child Catholic School.

 

qualifications

  • Keith has been a member of the Cooperative for 13 Years.
  • Keith is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC.
  • Keith is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative.
  • Keith says, “I feel I’m uniquely qualified among the members of WRVEC to serve on the Board of Directors. I have broad and deep experience with electric utility business and operating models. My public speaking skills are in constant demand, and I have been asked to speak at AVEVA World Paris 2024.”
  • Keith has not received any campaign contributions.

 

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

IOU’s are accountable to their shareholders, most of whom are not their customers. Municipal utilities are accountable to City Councils which have competed interests. But cooperatives are accountable only to the customers they serve.

What are three critical issues you believe the Cooperative should focus on in the next few years?

Reliability: Increasing grid reliability including leveraging and compensating customer-owned resources such as DER’s and EV’s.
Affordability: Ensuring a sustainable investment path while maintaining affordable rates.
Innovative Rate Design: Providing customers flexibility and choices that are best suited to their needs.

What interests you most about serving on the board of directors?

Although I have long experience with both business and operating models at IOU’s, I have never worked for a coop or municipal utility. I look forward to the opportunity to increase both my learning as well as my engagement with my somewhat new community.

Are you familiar with the elements of the cooperative business model? Please share what you know about the model at this time:

I have significant experience with electric utility business and operating models, including the concept of Distribution Companies vs Transmission and Generation Companies (i.e. the relationship between WRVEC and Associated). I understand the capital structure of cooperatives is different than IOUs, so I will need some learning to familiarize myself.

What knowledge and expertise would you bring to White River’s Board and the members?

The one point I will add to everything previously stated is I have considerable experience and reputation for influencing the direction of this industry. In my career I have worked with regulators, industry groups and policy makers on numerous initiatives that have guided change.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Affordability. I haven’t studied the performance metrics, but my impression is reliability at WRVEC is good. However, the members want to be assured the WRVEC leadership has a sound strategy for investing to maintain and improve reliability while maintaining affordable rates.

As a director, how would you promote the co-op in your community and district?

One of my roles at Ameren throughout my career was “storm duty.” As a leader I wasn’t responsible for putting lines back on poles. But I was responsible for engaging directly with customers during storm restoration to hear and understand their concerns and communicate our efforts and progress.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

I feel uniquely qualified among the members of WRVEC to serve as Director. I have experience with utility business and operating models. My public speaking experience has prepared me for community and civic outreach. Finally, my volunteer and business owner experience have taught me to see diverse points of view.